"Paths suddenly became like our world, with a complete set of laws. Time appeared within it, and so this world began to function," Eren said.
"It was Chris. She traded her life for the time this world needed to function. I hope you won't forget her," Chen Si said.
"I will never forget her." Eren's tone was utterly solemn.
"Even though my parents and Mikasa's parents can't return to our world, they can live normal lives in there, and I can visit them." Eren's eyes brimmed with happiness.
"That's wonderful..." A smile spread across Chen Si's face.
Everyone watched as the two walked to the center of the garden and stood quietly with their backs to the others for five minutes. Neither of them spoke, and neither did anyone else.
Chen Si and Eren stood motionless like that, gazing at each other. All those years, all the joys and sorrows of life, all the love and heartache lay within that sudden, profound exchange of looks. Then they both burst out laughing.
Mikasa looked at the back of the man she would love all her life. He was so close, yet seemed so far away. For the past ten years, her heart had stood empty, as though it had died. Now that she knew Chen Si was still alive, the joy and surprise in her heart came with an even more indescribable anguish-the anguish of being destined never to see him again for the rest of her life.
"Let me say a few last things." Chen Si turned to face everyone, a smile still on his lips.
"Yasuo," Chen Si said.
"I'm here!" Yasuo's lips trembled as he struggled to hold back his tears, repeatedly wiping them away with his sleeve. His nose began to run, and Philia, standing beside him,